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Macklemore declares 'equality for all' after singing Same Love at NRL grand final

Updated
Mon 2 Oct 2017, 8:39 AM AEDT

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Macklemore performed a medley of his hits including Thrift Shop and Same Love.

AAP: Dan Himbrechts

US rapper Macklemore has ended his controversial performance of pro-same-sex marriage song Same Love at the NRL grand final by saying "equality for all" as rainbow-coloured fireworks exploded behind him.

After a week of controversy over his decision to perform the song, he performed a medley of his greatest hits.

About 15 minutes into his set, after performing Can't Hold Us, Thrift Shop and Downtown, the US artist performed the song to a crowd of cheering fans.

The lyrics of Same Love remained unaltered, and some in the crowd held their hands in the sky in the shape of a heart.

The track, which was written with Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert, hit number one on iTunes in Australia this week after former prime minister Tony Abbott argued "footy fans shouldn't be subjected to a politicised grand final".

The furore preceding the performance came amid millions of Australians having their say on marriage laws in the country, with vigorous campaigning from both sides of the debate.

After Macklemore left the stage, the monitors inside the stadium showed the words "equality" and "inclusiveness".